It's true. That's what convienced me. I was talking to a horn repair man. He said the horns play OK for a while but, when they crash, they can't be repaired. The material they are made from is something like pewter. If you try to bend the valves to fit, they break. No parts will fit them etc. You wind up buying a new horn anyway and having a horn shaped object to hang on the wall. I was lucky...
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Double Bass what are your thoughts on a Cremona SB-2
- Thread starter BassGreaser
- Start date
It's true. That's what convienced me. I was talking to a horn repair man. He said the horns play OK for a while but, when they crash, they can't be repaired. The material they are made from is something like pewter. If you try to bend the valves to fit, they break. No parts will fit them etc. You wind up buying a new horn anyway and having a horn shaped object to hang on the wall. I was lucky...
Gee, I just got back into the conversation. How I came to play bass was, my mother improperly packed my alto (Martin) when she shipped it, I took it to a music store for repair, traded dead even on the spot for an American Standard with a slightly misaligned neck and "MIKE AND VIVIE" carved into the heel.
Thanks for the memory.
Thanks for the memory.
BassGreaser -- sounds like you've already gotten some definitive replies, but I'll add mine, since I'm a recent SB-2 user.
DON'T DO IT!!!
I rented a Cremona SB-2 for eight months, as I began studying the bass. Although I was a beginner on bass, I have played guitar all my life and I can tell a good stringed instrument from a bad one. This was a bad one. Difficult to play, tinny sound, and the worst strings (of unknown make) that my teacher had ever seen. I brushed it ever so slightly against my stool -- really slightly -- and one of the corners broke off. Recently bought a carved bass (also of Chinese manufacture) from A&G Music in Oakland and am very happy with it. It's their house brand. Look around, play a few basses, and I'm sure that even among the least expensive basses you can do better.
Good luck.
DON'T DO IT!!!
I rented a Cremona SB-2 for eight months, as I began studying the bass. Although I was a beginner on bass, I have played guitar all my life and I can tell a good stringed instrument from a bad one. This was a bad one. Difficult to play, tinny sound, and the worst strings (of unknown make) that my teacher had ever seen. I brushed it ever so slightly against my stool -- really slightly -- and one of the corners broke off. Recently bought a carved bass (also of Chinese manufacture) from A&G Music in Oakland and am very happy with it. It's their house brand. Look around, play a few basses, and I'm sure that even among the least expensive basses you can do better.
Good luck.
D
I'm a newbie to DB [been playing a school Kay for the past year-year & a half], but i have played slab for the past 6 years and just bought a good [read as made in USA bass] this year an Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay5. If you can as what i plan on doing once the funds are here [i'm saving at least $2k then going to a few stores each about 2-3hrs away] and plan on playing right about anything i can get my hands on and then buy whatever feels and sounds right to me. When you buy a bass be sure to factor in the setup cost, new strings, bag, adjustable bridge, pickup, to get an idea of what the real price will be. That being said i'm glad i've got a while.
I've read nearly everything here on the Engleharts [sp?], Strunals, Christophers, went through All hail Bob's Links Page to get store locations remotely near me. I've learned that DB is even more difficult to find items for than 5 string basses or string sets [i bought out a store's entire inventory of a particular brand {3 sets} in one day]. From what i've read here Stay As Far Away From the Craptino "Basses" as you can. Yeah, i could get one in a few months or i can wait for about 6-10 months and get something that will more than likely last me through at least college [i'm a high school sophmore]. Well, just thought i'd chime in too. Thats all
I've read nearly everything here on the Engleharts [sp?], Strunals, Christophers, went through All hail Bob's Links Page to get store locations remotely near me. I've learned that DB is even more difficult to find items for than 5 string basses or string sets [i bought out a store's entire inventory of a particular brand {3 sets} in one day]. From what i've read here Stay As Far Away From the Craptino "Basses" as you can. Yeah, i could get one in a few months or i can wait for about 6-10 months and get something that will more than likely last me through at least college [i'm a high school sophmore]. Well, just thought i'd chime in too. Thats all
Hello Bass Greaser,BassGreaser said:
I have had alot of stage time with the SB-2 and can tell you that I like it alot. The sound is deeper than that from a C-1 Engleheart but the neck is alot fatter. You can fix that problem with a file and some sandpaper or take it to a luthier.
I have bear paws for hands and it doesn't bother me.
I wish my friend hadn't offered to buy mine, I miss it.
Good day.
Mark :
. I love the bass!Hi,
I'm new to all this. I went and played 3 different shen double basses. I was impressed with all of them. I played the sb100, sb180 & sb200w(willow).
They were decently priced; sb100 $1200, sb180 $2000, & sb 200w $3000.
I really liked the sb200w had a great warm sound, the price is the only thing holding me back. However I really enjoyed the sb180, it has a carved spruce top with maple veneers on the back and side.
The sb100, the all plywood one was great for the price.
They all had adjustable bridges & a good setup.
I was wondering if anyone had any input as to the Shens.
And what kind of setup is usually involved when a shen is purchased.
Thanks
I'm new to all this. I went and played 3 different shen double basses. I was impressed with all of them. I played the sb100, sb180 & sb200w(willow).
They were decently priced; sb100 $1200, sb180 $2000, & sb 200w $3000.
I really liked the sb200w had a great warm sound, the price is the only thing holding me back. However I really enjoyed the sb180, it has a carved spruce top with maple veneers on the back and side.
The sb100, the all plywood one was great for the price.
They all had adjustable bridges & a good setup.
I was wondering if anyone had any input as to the Shens.
And what kind of setup is usually involved when a shen is purchased.
Thanks
Hi Humpfh...
I went through this process over the past few months and ended up with a Shen. Two local luthiers had the Shen 100 and 180 in stock. I spent about a month of vacillating between saving money and getting the plywood or spending a bit more for the solid topped hybrid. They both seemed like great buys. Finally floowed my heart and my ears and got the SB200 willow! I was sold when I played with the bow and shook the walls!
Now I'm a rank beginner on the DB but the willow seemed to have much potential (plus I liked the gamba shape and the dark chocolate brown color that looked line an old bass.) I'm sure it will get better with time (as I hope my skills improve to match!) I don't think you can go wrong with any of these.
NNot sure what is "usually" included in a set up but the luthier I bought from added Obligatos on my 200 (I think he put Spiracores on the 180). He added adjuster wheels to the bridge and fitted the bridge to the body of the bass. He said I could bring in the bass as much as I wanted for a year or so for free adjustments. He said we should wait about six months or so for the bass to settle in and then he'll shape the fingerboard for closer action if I'd like it lower. A cheap bow and a nice bag completed the package.
After hearing a bunch of guys here I finally realized it would be good to have local support on a purchase like this and a slight premium in price would be worth it on the occasion I need some help.
Here is a link to a photo of my "Big Will" the Shen 7/8 Willow.
Invalid Link Removed
I went through this process over the past few months and ended up with a Shen. Two local luthiers had the Shen 100 and 180 in stock. I spent about a month of vacillating between saving money and getting the plywood or spending a bit more for the solid topped hybrid. They both seemed like great buys. Finally floowed my heart and my ears and got the SB200 willow! I was sold when I played with the bow and shook the walls!
Now I'm a rank beginner on the DB but the willow seemed to have much potential (plus I liked the gamba shape and the dark chocolate brown color that looked line an old bass.) I'm sure it will get better with time (as I hope my skills improve to match!) I don't think you can go wrong with any of these.
NNot sure what is "usually" included in a set up but the luthier I bought from added Obligatos on my 200 (I think he put Spiracores on the 180). He added adjuster wheels to the bridge and fitted the bridge to the body of the bass. He said I could bring in the bass as much as I wanted for a year or so for free adjustments. He said we should wait about six months or so for the bass to settle in and then he'll shape the fingerboard for closer action if I'd like it lower. A cheap bow and a nice bag completed the package.
After hearing a bunch of guys here I finally realized it would be good to have local support on a purchase like this and a slight premium in price would be worth it on the occasion I need some help.
Here is a link to a photo of my "Big Will" the Shen 7/8 Willow.
Invalid Link Removed
Thanks for the reply. I hear ya with that willow bass, it sure was nice. I played the 3/4 willow.
Also getting it local is a good idea.
I want to go check out christopher double basses. They seem to be in the same class as the shen, at least from what I've read in the newbie section.
Currently I'm leaning towards the sb180 hybrid.
Also getting it local is a good idea.
I want to go check out christopher double basses. They seem to be in the same class as the shen, at least from what I've read in the newbie section.
Currently I'm leaning towards the sb180 hybrid.
John Sprague
Sam Shen's US Distributor
- Mar 10, 2003
- 998
- 360
- 63
- Disclosures
- Sales Manager, CSC Products Inc.
Thanks Gary, a man after my own heart.
I have but two slogans that I live by:
Support your local dealer.
Live music is better.
As for Shen setups, I ship most basses to the dealers with the machines installed (usually), the tailpeice, post (close, should be tweaked), the board (again, should be tweaked), a bridge blank with the feet fitted, and the endpin. They do the rest, which is a considerable amount. We offer a full set-up for the dealer, but most prefer to do it themselves. So when you buy from the dealer, you get his work, which as said here time and time again makes all the difference betweeen good and kick-ass (an industry term).
Gary, the plant behind your bass looks like it's cowering away form Big Will's presence.
Thanks for sharing the pic.Best,
John
John Sprague said:Gary, the plant behind your bass looks like it's cowering away form Big Will's presence.
Best,
John
They all cower when they hear me play...babies cry and dogs howl. Hopefully that will all end once I get better control of that bow!
BTW...I wanted to ask you if you remember the tailpiece on that big willow of mine? Is it ebony? It was pretty streaky. Joe thought it was rosewood and was it was not standard issue. Sure is purty whatever it is.
John Sprague
Sam Shen's US Distributor
- Mar 10, 2003
- 998
- 360
- 63
- Disclosures
- Sales Manager, CSC Products Inc.
That would be Rosewood. We've been giving dealers the choice on the flatbacks, ebony or roseywood.
The luthier that works on my basses has seen a couple of these pos basses. The thing that pisses me off about the aholes that sell these things, is that the neck heel and body joint are planed flat and glued together. That is a formula for disaster. Late Gator
Humph
I have the Shen SB1800, which I had set up by my local luthier Jeff Bollbach, and I love it. Jeff did a nice job on it, and it seems to have gotten better in the year that I've played it.
I was so pleased with the bass and Jeffs work, that when it was time to get my daughter her own bass, I bought the SB100, and had Jeff do his magic on that one.
I have the Shen SB1800, which I had set up by my local luthier Jeff Bollbach, and I love it. Jeff did a nice job on it, and it seems to have gotten better in the year that I've played it.
I was so pleased with the bass and Jeffs work, that when it was time to get my daughter her own bass, I bought the SB100, and had Jeff do his magic on that one.
I just picked up a used Cremona SB-2. one month old.
Got it at a great price-$495.00.
Here's the deal, this bass sounds very good.
strings were crap, got new set. lowered bridge.
My other upright is a 1954 C-1 Kay.
The Kay is a well playing, and sounding bass.
A good 50's Kay.
After playing the Cremona for about 10 gigs,
I think it sounds as good and plays as good as my Kay?
This has to be a FLUKE!!!!
No cheap bass should sound this good?
Mojo-Man said:
I just picked up a used Cremona SB-2. one month old.
Got it at a great price-$495.00.
Here's the deal, this bass sounds very good.
strings were crap, got new set. lowered bridge.
My other upright is a 1954 C-1 Kay.
The Kay is a well playing, and sounding bass.
A good 50's Kay.
After playing the Cremona for about 10 gigs,
I think it sounds as good and plays as good as my Kay?
This has to be a FLUKE!!!!
No cheap bass should sound this good?
I would assume it is...or somebody playing tricks
Mojo -- If you can get ANY bass for $495 to sound that good, I'd say it's a fluke. If it really is a Cremona SB-2, it's a double-fluke. But nice going -- you've got a bass you like, and that's what counts.
-- John Greitzer
-- John Greitzer
At the risk of getting verbally ripped apart, I have nothing but
good to say about my $500 Chinese Cremona SB-1. I've had
it four years without the slightest problem. It's the best playing and sounding bass I've ever owned - and I have had a few. Another word about instruments from this Chinese factory: The historic fort I work at was given four Palatino full-size fiddles and likewise they have been great! I wouldn't hesitate to get a Cremona or Palatino again.
I have seen and played other Cremonas as well.
A large part of my living has been made by playing music
these past 28 years.
Denis Havlena
Mackinac Straits, northern Michigan
My simple musical instrument making webpage is at:
Invalid Link Removed
good to say about my $500 Chinese Cremona SB-1. I've had
it four years without the slightest problem. It's the best playing and sounding bass I've ever owned - and I have had a few. Another word about instruments from this Chinese factory: The historic fort I work at was given four Palatino full-size fiddles and likewise they have been great! I wouldn't hesitate to get a Cremona or Palatino again.
I have seen and played other Cremonas as well.
A large part of my living has been made by playing music
these past 28 years.
Denis Havlena
Mackinac Straits, northern Michigan
My simple musical instrument making webpage is at:
Invalid Link Removed
Nobody should ever rip you apart verbally for describing your experience. Yes, low-probability events do occur. The a priori odds of having a good experience with one of these is, however, very low. That is, there is little likelihood that others will have a similar positive experience.
What else have you owned?
How a fiddle holds up is certainly not indicative of how a bass will hold up.
Well, that seems to work for you but, based on the evidence and the many, many poor and sometimes horrifying experiences suffered by others, it would be a disservice to recommend that one purchase one of those things.
It's a bit like saying you found a grenade, pulled the pin, and nothing bad happened. That would not be a basis to recommend that someone else engage in the same behavior. You have to consider the larger sample.
In general I'm happy with my SB-2. After reading here I've been more than a little paranoid and I check it over on a regular basis for issues. The top has a tiny spot where it is not completely glued down (it will move ever so slightly if you put pressure on it with your thumb) but it seems to be about 1/2 an inch on the outide edge and it looks perfectly tight on the inside. I showed it to a luthier who told me not to worry about it but let him know if it gets any bigger . . .it hasn't. The construction is nothing to jump up and down about in terms of fit and finish but it serves its purpose. I've had a couple very experienced bassists try it and they both commented that it sounded good and played nice. I'm only 6 months into owning it and playing so I don't think my own opinion on whether it sounded nice and played nice would be worth much. I drag it out of the house, to work and rehearsals about once a week and it seems to be holding up well. I suspect the quality on these things varies greatly as I've seen a Palatino and it looked pretty bad (assuming they are made in the same factory). I suspect they are not all the same. For instance, mine has a maple top. The Palatino I saw was a different bass. Maybe they're actually made in several factories? Also, there is plenty of first-hand experience here on this site talking about disasters they've seen with these brands . . obviously its not made up. However, like anything on an internet board, there are also plenty of people who have never seen one yet are willing to offer their "experience." Only time will tell if my bass will hold up for the long haul.
Best, Ed
